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Language learners who practice English regularly outside of our classroom improve their fluency more quickly and successfully than learners who don't. Motivating students to use English outside of class is difficult. We might suggest many tasks, games, websites, and apps, but how do we keep track of students who complete these extra tasks? One way to motivate English Language Learners to practice English outside the classroom is by awarding digital badges to those who complete tasks and attach the evidence that they completed the tasks. Digital badges are part of gamification. These insignias are like Girl Scout or Boy Scout patches. Students earn them after finishing a task. They must attach evidence, like a screenshot or link to their activities to earn the badge. Below, are seven free web tools for designing and easily distributing digital badges. Check out our webinar recording, Motivate English Language Learners with Digital Badges, to discover more tips and resources for using digital badges to motivate your learners.

To learn more about integrating technology to support English language learners, attend our free Friday webinars.

Websites and Tools

MakeBadg.es- This is the badge maker associated with Makewaves, which is a platform for designing, managing, issuing, and displaying digital badges and missions for K to 12 students. Quickly design a badge with a choice of shapes, icons, colors, and borders. No registration is required.

Open Badges-Post an email address to access this badge builder with several shapes and icons to choose from. Download the badge as a png file, but you can't edit it the original, because the platform does not save the badges.

Canva- Register for free and access several templates and icons to quickly design your digital badge.

Credly- Register for free to build, issue, manage, and display digital badges. You can also download the free iOS app to design digital badges on your mobile device.

Class Badges- Create a simple badge with a builder. Registration is free.

Badgelist- Register for free. Design, manage, and display badges in a beautiful portfolio display.

Google Drawing- Another way to create a digital badge, but more difficult than the other web tools. A free Google account is required.

Check out the Teaching with Technology Certification course we offer online.

Live TESOL webinars are presented every other Friday at 4 PM EST or New York time with Shelly Terrell. TESOL Lectures are open to the public, so feel free to invite a friend. To enter a TESOL Webinar, click here https://americantesol.adobeconnect.com/terrell/. Next, click Enter as a Guest, type your name, and click Enter Room.

Picture from Pixabay!

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7 Web Tools for Creating Digital Learning Badges

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Language learners who practice English regularly outside of our classroom improve their fluency more quickly and successfully than learners who don't. Motivating students to use English outside of class is difficult. We might suggest many tasks, games, websites, and apps, but how do we keep track of students who complete these extra tasks?

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Making Interactive Google Slide for student engagement 

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Making Interactive Google Slide for student engagement 

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Nearpod: Foster a love of learning in every student

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Create active learning experiences students can’t wait to be a part of.

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INSWAN INS-1 Tiny 8MP USB Document Camera with Auto-Focus and LED Supplemental Light, Excellent for Distance Education and Web Conferencing

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INSWAN INS-1 Tiny 8MP USB Document Camera with Auto-Focus and LED Supplemental Light, Excellent for Distance Education and Web Conferencing

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Differences on parent involvement from having parents next to student and "helping" to parents who are not home because they have to work.

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Important to bring issues/concerns to the attention of parents because they may not be aware of the expectations

Ex. Suggest earbuds for students in louder learning environments

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Equity issues - familiarity with technology, a quiet space to learn in, access to learning materials

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Google Voice - helpful in communicating with parents to translate messages and make calls while maintaining privacy

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Success - using different platforms based on age - SeeSaw, Flipgrid, Google Classroom, Raz-Kids, Brain Pop, Kahoot

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Success - technology sessions for parents in different languages with time for questions as opposed to email or video sent out

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Walking students/parents through activities/assessments step by step on the phone while students/families navigate on the computer has been a necessity

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“Your child is healthy, safe, and they’re going to learn” - build confidence and give families confirmation that it will be okay and their child will learn

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Praising parents for the “little things” - your child is coming to class & turning on his/her camera but then communicating the needs (find a balance in your message to families)

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Following a schedule is critical for learning

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Worth the time it takes to give students the opportunity to practice typing because realistically it is a needed skill

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A challenge - different teacher expectations.  Ex. hand written work vs. typed work

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Another cheap option if you don't have a document camera!

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Another cheap option if you don't have a document camera!

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Showcase your work,
reflect on your learning!

Mirror-Cam lets students take the lead of their own learning, even through online lessons. It gives you an overhead view to create a showcase space where students can take notes, create a sketch, solve a math problem, give explanations, do read-alouds, and many other things.

Mirror-Cam gives parents the flexibility and convenience to make the most out of the learning process! Be it online or offline, Mirror-Cam is a great interactive tool.

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Mirror-Cam lets students take the lead of their own learning, even through online lessons. It gives you an overhead view to create a showcase space where students can take notes, create a sketch, solve a math problem, give explanations, do read-alouds, and many other things.

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Mixed reaction from colleagues towards teachers who don’t have to push in or engage in in-person teaching but at the end of the day, we need to remember that we are doing what is best for students

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Challenges in getting students to speak. Technology issues also make it difficult, i.e. feedback noise, delayed.

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K-6 Literacy, Science, Reading, & Teaching Resources | Learning A-Z

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Learning A-Z's literacy and science products for Pre-K-6 kids empowers teachers to improve children's skills with blended learning. Start your free trial today!

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cell phone clip on stand holder - with grip flexible long arm gooseneck bracket mount clamp for iphone x/8/7/6/6s/5 samsung s8/s7

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Cell Phone Clip on Stand Holder - with Grip Flexible Long Arm Gooseneck Bracket Mount Clamp for iPhone X/8/7/6/6s/5 Samsung S8/S7, used for bed, desktop, Black

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Amazon.com: Cell Phone Clip on Stand Holder - with Grip Flexible Long Arm Gooseneck Bracket Mount Clamp for iPhone X/8/7/6/6s/5 Samsung S8/S7, used for bed, desktop, Black

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TalkingPoints - Improving student outcomes through meaningful school-family partnerships.

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TalkingPoints - Improving student outcomes through meaningful school-family partnerships.

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Amazon Best Sellers: Best Document Cameras

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Discover the best Document Cameras in Best Sellers. Find the top 100 most popular items in Amazon Office Products Best Sellers.

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Seesaw | Elementary Learning Experience Platform

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Seesaw | Elementary Learning Experience Platform

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Elementary Learning Experience Platform | Seesaw

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Seesaw is a Learning Experience Platform with 25M+ users, enhancing elementary education, engagement, and school culture while improving academic success.

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100% Remote
Hybrid Model
Concurrent (Teaching students in-person and remote.)